Praying Lent: Sunday of the First Week of Lent

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Invitatory:

“Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise.”

Collect:

Grant, almighty God, through the yearly observances of holy Lent, that we may grow in understanding of the riches hidden in Christ and by worthy conduct pursue their effects. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Daily Meditation:

Bring us back to you. This week we pray for a renewal of our lives. We are beginning to be more attentive and alert. We are trying new patterns. The difficulties we encounter keep us humble.

Our desire is clear. We want the “self-sacrificing love of Christ” – which brings us mercy and healing – to be “reproduced in our lives.” In our journey, we seek to savor the meaning of Jesus’ self-less love, that we might reflect that love to others. At the end of our journey, we will renew our baptismal promises. Dying with Jesus in baptism, we have a new life in him.

Today, we desire nothing less than God’s re-creating us – breathing new life into us.

Intercessions:

Let us praise our loving Redeemer, who gained for us this season of grace, and pray to him, saying: Lord, create a new spirit in us.

Christ, our life, through baptism we were buried with you and rose to life with you, – may we walk today in newness of life.

Lord, you have brought blessings to all mankind, – bring us to share your concern for the good of all.

May we work together to build up the earthly city, – with our eyes fixed on the city that lasts for ever.

Healer of body and soul, cure the sickness of our spirit, – so that we may grow in holiness through your constant care.

Closing Prayer:

Lord God, you who breathed the spirit of life within me. Draw out of me the light and life you created. Help me to find my way back to you. Help me to use my life to reflect your glory and to serve others as your son Jesus did.

Conclusion:

May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life.